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Letter: Arguments against photo ID bill are unfounded

Friday the 13th is often called a bad luck day. Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, did prove to be a bad luck day for 80 percent of the people of Minnesota. DFL members in the House Government Operations Committee killed the photo ID bill (HF 57. This common-sense measure would have required the presentation of a government-issued photographic identification when voting. It included a provision to provide a free identification card to any eligible voter who does not currently have a photo ID. It would have resulted in bringing real and greater integrity with public confidence in our election system in Minnesota.

Although polls show that this requirement to vote has 80 percent public support, these so-called "representatives" killed the bill in committee. They claim that the law would have "disenfranchised" the poor and the elderly. These accusations are unfounded and numerous studies from states that have implemented similar laws prove this is not the case.

Over the past several months, a great deal of evidence has been uncovered suggesting problems in our current election system. However, these "representatives" have chosen simply to look the other way. It seems they want to perpetuate a system that invites error and abuse because they believe it to be to their political advantage.

The people really being "disenfranchised" in our elections are you -- the legitimate voters in Minnesota whose votes are being undermined by errors and abuse.